Moody's voices concern at 'material delay' in Greece debt relief talks

Rating agency claims lag in talks between Athens and its creditors increases risk that Greece will miss repayments next year

Fears that Greece's seven-year debt crisis is about to enter a troubling new phase have been voiced by one of the world's leading rating agencies.

Moody's said it was worried by the decision by the European authorities to suspend a debt-relief deal for Greece after the government in Athens gave a Christmas bonus to pensioners, promised free school meals for the poorest children and cancelled a VAT increase.

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